Best Half Day Grade 5 (Class 5) White Water Rafting

Rangitikei River, North Island, New Zealand

Grade 5 White Water Rafting New Zealand

Duration: Half Day

Cost: $189 per person, Minimum age 13 years

Season: All Year Round

Please note – departures are river level dependent. We will not put on if the river is outside our safe operating limits. This trip may not happen if the minimum of 3 paying fares is not met. If you are a solo, please contact our reception on 0800 248666 or email [email protected] to join an existing trip.

In New Zealand there are many opportunities to join a river rafting trip and often the river trip that is taken is whatever happens to be closest. But Have You Asked what it is that You Really Want from a White Water Rafting trip?

Every river is different in character, offering a different type of experience.

So what if what you are really looking for is plenty of rapids? Lots of drops, steep chutes, rapids that are challenging, rapids where you have to work as part of the team.

Rapids with Consequences

How would you know what to look for?

Here are some Answers

What you need to look for is a Grade 4 or Grade 5 trip. But even that is not enough.

How many rapids are there is it just one Grade 4 or Grade 5 rapid, or a whole section of them?

How long is the trip? Is it a half day or longer trip, or is it a 30 minute float with a couple of drops?

Is It a Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting Trip that You Are After?

If it is a half day trip that you are after, then the Grade 5 white water section of the Rangitikei River could be just what you are looking for.

Often recognised as one of the top half day Grade 5 White Water Rafting Trips in the world, your trip on the Rangitikei starts off easier, with sections of fun Grade 2 and Grade 3 rapids, great practice for what lies ahead!

Over a two to three hour period, and 11 kms of river, you will experience rapids that start at that easy end, and culminate in the gorge, a section of the river where 10 major rapids, from Grade 3+ to Grade 5, line up one after the other to thrill you and excite you.

Some of these rapids are short and sharp, while others carry on for several hundred meters.

And Where Does the Trip Finish?

Right outside the front door of River Valley Lodge for hot showers. No getting changed on river banks!

Many river guides have called the Grade 5 rafting section of the Rangitikei River, the Perfect Half Day Rafting Trip.

An easy start, building up to a fun filled finish.

Hold it a minute, you have questions right?

You May Wonder

Will I be fit enough?

Will I fall out?

How safe is it?

Is this trip really for me?

You do need an average level of fitness as you will be required to help paddle the raft.

You may fall out, in fact 5% of people have an unplanned exit from the raft.

Rafting the Grade 5 section of the Rangitikei River is not 100% safe. There are absolutely no guarantees that nothing untoward will happen.

This trip is not for everyone. Who it is for, is for you.

The person who knows what they want in a whitewater rafting experience – fun, thrills, excitement, and a real sense that what you do on that raft, with your paddle, actually makes a difference.

Freaking Wicked

This is what other rafters with us regularly say;

“Freaking wicked. Best value for money on our trip so far. Crew was excellent. I wouldd do it again for sure.

Or – Awesome day! Great guide with obvious experience and background on grade 5 rapids. Beautiful ride in all.

And – You should not be scared because it was just amazing! Sooo cool! I really enjoyed the rafting so just do it!

Over 4000 people raft this section of the Rangitikei River each year.

People like you, wanting the best in white water rafting excitement..

Since 1980 our family have been rafting this river, 3 generations of river guides, unparalleled in New Zealand.

How Often Do Trips Depart?

Trips depart twice daily from 1st October to 30th April Briefing times are 8.15am and 12.30pm. Trips depart once per day from 1st May to 30th September – briefing time is 8.30am.

Departures are River Level dependent. We will not put on if the river is outside our safe operating limits. This trip may not happen if the minimum of 3 paying fares is not met. If you are a solo, please contact our reception on 0800 248666 or email – [email protected] – to join an existing trip.

Are You Still Asking, – Why Raft the Grade 5 Section of the Rangitikei River?

This trip is simply one of the top, half day Grade 5 rafting trips in the world. Thats why.

White Water Rafting – Rangitikei River – Grade 5 section – the Map

Use the controls to check out this beautiful section of the Rangitikei River, the Grade 5 section – steep, technical and fun!

Click on the Booking Link 0n this page to check availability and to Book your trip.

What you need to Bring:

Testimonials 'n Reviews

“I would really recommend River Valley. There are so many people who never really experience the outdoors. They don’t get to breathe fresh air and the air here is so pure. You can even drink the water in the river.”

You just cannot beat this environment with these people and the energy.
The one thing that I think probably stands in the way of a lot of people coming to River Valley is it is in the middle of nowhere. Mostly you need to be in the know about it or have been told about it to get here.

But when you do get here, it is worth it!

It’s worth the ride into the wilderness!

But for me, the rafting is what it’s about, it’s awesome.

The river can be scary. You’re in a boat with other people that you have to trust.

You need to listen to your guide but it’s worth it to keep your eyes open to see the other faces as well. Everyone reacts really differently.

Most of all though, I just loved the feeling of being on or near the river.

I’ve done the trip three times and every time it’s been completely different. Today, we had a higher river level meaning that everything looked changed from a couple of days ago.

It’s also the place itself. The environment is awesome. Out in the middle of nowhere, and you can hear the river flowing at all times. The staff too are amazing, everyone is so warm and friendly and open.

You just cannot beat this environment with these people and the energy.

I would really recommend River Valley. There are so many people who never really experience the outdoors. They don’t get to breathe fresh air and the air here is so pure. You can even drink the water in the river.

Just come visit and enjoy River Valley.

Paula Byrne
County Gallway
Ireland

Hey Brian,

Feel free to quote anything I’ve said, unfortunately words and photos never quite do an experience like that justice.

My biggest obstacle in doing a Grade 5 white water rafting trip with River Valley was a previous negative kayaking experience. As it turned out, if I had had the cash and time I would have done a second trip the next morning!

Having now done the trip, I find that I have developed a craving for water and rafting, thanks to Tom, and what a brilliant adventure.

It was no specific feature that really made the experience for me, rather a combination of the scenery, the river, the atmosphere, the roast that night, in fact everything.

The other things I found with this experience is that it got me “out of my seat”, out of the city and into a fabulous combination of spectacular scenery, great company and an unforgettable adventure.

I would definitely (and already have) recommended River Valley, the Grade 5 trip, and Adventure Lodge to anyone that will stop and listen.

Thanks to Tom, Brian and the Adventure Lodge team for giving us a great weekend! I only regret that we didn’t have enough time to go out again on Sunday!

If ever you guys set-up in Europe let me know, I’ll be there in a flash.

“This experience is one that got me “out of my seat”, out of the city and into a fabulous combination of spectacular scenery, great company and an unforgettable adventure.”

“You really know how to build up a rapport that engenders complete trust in your abilities.”

Yep, I’ll recommend you to others, already my experiences have been retold a number of times. I am sure that the stories belonging to the weekend will only be embellished with time – but hey what the hell.

Hi there

I just wanted to say thank you all for such a wonderful weekend last weekend 17/18 September. I was a member of the Form 2 Class Reunion from Plimmerton School party that stayed at the lodge.

While all aspects of the weekend were amazing, of significance for me was the white water rafting trip. Had someone said to me that I would fall out of the raft and then later on the raft would capsize I would have absolutely refused to go – no questions asked. Indeed when Sam was telling us what to do if and when something happened I was just watching him in disbelief and horror that something might happen. However once I was a part of it all and it was happening it was simply magnificent.
Thanks Sam and the other two guides – you really know how to build up a rapport that engenders complete trust in your abilities. Anyway, the raft trip – an awesome thing to do that has made me realise how sedentary my life is. So much so that a number of major decisions that before now were bothering me have now been made without too much further hand wringing at all. Thanks.

The food is also brilliant. Very satisfying. The rooms are very comfy – mind you I had an ensuited one so I can hardly complain. But it was very nice. The heated floor is a wonderful trick and the shower just perfect. The communal showers a device of the devil I fear. I attempted to use one after the raft experience.

And, of course all of you wonderful people. Friendly, helpful and obviously enjoying your work. Great stuff.

Yep, I’ll recommend you to others, already my experiences have been retold a number of times. I am sure that the stories belonging to the weekend will only be embellished with time – but hey what the hell.

So ,thank you once again.

Regards

Jon Dimock

Dear Brian and Nicola,

I just wanted to thank the whole team at River Valley for such an enjoyable stay with you over Queens Birthday.

Both Agnes and I had such an amazing time for the two days that we were there, and neither of us wanted to leave on the Sunday.

We will definitely be back again sometime. A special thanks to the rafting crew (Chopper & co) for making the trip so enjoyable. We both look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Regards

Timothy Nagel

“Neither of us wanted to leave on the Sunday”

“Many thanks for a fantastic experience! As a bit of an “old fart”, I am recommending to my boys that they do this trip and not leave it as late as I did.”

Hi guys,

Along with a group from work, I did your Grade 5 white water rafting trip yesterday afternoon. It was tremendous fun, one of the most exhilarating things I have ever done. I was also very impressed with Arnie as a guide, he was extremely capable and professional.

“Guide” is a bit of an understatement really, he had total control of the whole thing. Many thanks for a fantastic experience! As a bit of an “old fart”, I am recommending to my boys that they do this trip and not leave it as late as I did.

Thanks again, and best wishes to you all for Christmas and the future.